Front of the Grid

Sebastien Loeb has completed a straightforward victory on Rally Catalunya, reducing the gap to championship leader Mikko Hirvonen to one point ahead of the final round in Wales in three weeks time.

Loeb was behind Citroen teammate and home favourite Dani Sordo until late on Saturday, when he provided little resistance to Loeb's bid for victory. Hirvonen finished in third place, meaning that whoever finishes ahead out of Loeb and Hirvonen on Rally GB will be crowned champion, Loeb bidding for a sixth straight World Rally title.Petter Solberg had a strong rally, finishing fourth in his first event in a Citroen C4, having switched from his outdated Xsara. Sebastien Ogier finished fifth, ahead of Jari-Matti Latvala.